BACKGROUND: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the surgical removal of part or all of the external female genital organs of a girl-child before sexual maturity. It’s usually done without consent and awareness of the affected children. FGM affects more than 100 million women with about 3million annual cases globally. FGM is common among the poorly educated, low socio-economic and low social-status groups. Prevalence of FGM in Nigeria is put at an average of 19%. This study was done to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated with FGM in rural settlement of Kano State.
METHODS: We did a cross-sectional descriptive study. We interviewed and administered a pre-tested semi- structured questionnaire to all married women in sampled households within the sampled rural settlements. We analyzed data using Epi-info-7 and Microsoft Excel-2016.
RESULTS: A total of 289 women were interviewed, with a mean age of 33.23yrs (SD ±8.68yrs). Of the 289 mothers interviewed, 171(59.2%) had received FGM at childhood while 231(79.9%) had FGM done on their girl-child. Of the 289 respondents, 281(97.2%) are Muslims, while eight (2.8%) are Christians. Majority of respondents 161(55.71%) do not have formal education. Type I FGM (clitoridectomy) (91%) is the most common type of FGM performed, followed by Type IV (unclassified) (9%). Most of the FGM (91%) were performed by traditional-shavers, while traditional birth attendants performed 9% of the FGM. Grandparents of the children are the decision makers in 63% of all the FGM, while the Fathers decide in 27.3% and mothers 9.7%. Upholding cultural norms (81.7%) is the main reason for FGM, followed by prevention of sexual promiscuity (18.3%). Excessive bleeding (67.8%) is the main complication experienced during the FGM, while 18.7% of the women have experienced sexual problems.
CONCLUSIONS: The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is very high in rural settlements of Kano State. These practices are driven mainly by cultural beliefs and low level maternal education.